For the past few years I
have had a small area of my backyard set aside for a stand of Milkweed in hopes
of Monarch Butterflies would use it for breeding.This year I am almost overwhelmed!

Last year's Grand Total = 168

2008 Grand Total = 452

Grand Total from 2006 is at least =
620

This years was about getting the community more involved and that
was a great success.
This year was about creating a better butterfly garden and again a great
success.
Lots of great pictures, video and special features - so bug me to post more,
show you can, I need to know.Under Construction - very much so.

Persons of note who
attended the Monarch release.
In 2008 more effort was given to getting the public to come out and help set the
butterflies free
- to get everyone involved.

This year was great success was the
butterfly garden planting.
It was started last year but really took off this year thanks to donation from
the community.
People asked last year if it was possible to keep the butteries in their
backyard, it would appear logical that as they had provided Monarchs a place to
breed or raised them, that the butterflies should show their appreciation by
staying on the homeowners property. Logical to them but not reasonable
to the Monarchs'.
However, I discovered that with the right planting it was possible to achieve
allot of that goal.
By planting Butterfly Bush right beside Milkweed you get the perfect combination
of food source and breeding ground that will attract and keep Monarchs in the
homeowners for a few months. In fact my dear old dad sat outside many an
afternoon facing the butterfly garden, watching the their aerial ballet.
What happens is a male Monarch butterfly will stake out the happy breeding
ground and fly around most of the time to attract a mate and drive away other
males.
It also draws other kinds of butterflies & humming birds.

The MAIN INDEX page
for
Monarch Butterfly
Rescue in Mississauga
& View pictures of other Years
Successes. Their
discoveries - improvements -
surprises
- the joy, smiles of
the community and their children.

Did a release today & invited over lots of people, one of whom was
Mark Knight, a photographic artist -
As It happens Photography.
He sends us this big picture, it shows the textures of wings very well and I
really hope a few more in the future.

Ta Da the release- a few flew, most had to carried to near by Butterfly Bush flowers
- they just love.
Fun for the whole family!
Ah, just got away - not to worry, another is waiting to be ferried to flowers.

Watching the screen lid for more Monarchs to hatch out or caterpillars to go to
chrysalis.

Frank de Jong's Rogers - Cable 10 - interview.
It is very interesting that both Rogers and the Mississauga News covered the
event but only Rogers made any mention of the leader of the Green Party being a
part of the event! Now why is that? In fact the below picture is the
"Missing News", photographer setting up a picture. I think she noticed
Frank was there, at some point.

Here are some of the Mississauga News pictures and captions from
their Photo Gallery for Aug. 21, 2008 - Don Files.
The "Missing News" hides away stories on their Internet site - they don't all
make the paper, paper going out to homes.

Caroline Lyczek helps release butterfles in Don
Barber's backyard butterfly breeding ground Thursday.
Barber has released 300 butterflies so far this season and still has
more caterpillars evolving.
Barber believes that raising butterflies is a hobby that allows the
entire community enjoy the result. Photo by Nikki Wesley.

Don Barber released monarch butterfles in his backyard butterfly
breeding ground Thursday afternoon.
Barber has released 300 butterflies so far this season and still has
more caterpillars evolving.
Barber believes that raising butterflies is a hobby where the entire
community can enjoy the result. Photo by Nikki Wesley.

Monarchs wait to be released in Don Barber's backyard butterfly breeding
ground Thursday afternoon.
Barber has released 300 butterflies so far this season and still has
more caterpillars evolving.
Barber believes that raising butterflies is a hobby that allows the
entire community enjoy the result. Photo by Nikki Wesley.

Caroline (left) and Natalie Lyczek help release butterfles in Don Barber's
backyard butterfly breeding ground Thursday.
Barber has released 300 butterflies so far this season and still has more
caterpillars evolving.
Barber believes that raising butterflies is a hobby that allows the entire
community enjoy the result. Photo by Nikki Wesley.

Caroline (right) and Natalie Lyczek help release butterfles in
Don Barber's backyard butterfly breeding ground Thursday.
Barber has
released 300 butterflies so far this season and still has more
caterpillars evolving.
Barber believes that raising butterflies is a
hobby that allows the entire community enjoy the result. Photo by Nikki Wesley.

The above picture was staged by Nikki
Wesley and I played no role in it & do NOT suggest people put wild
caterpillars or butteries on their faces.
You never know when one will become enraged, claw or chew right
through your eye and into your brain!!!!

And later watermelon was served.

or
This is an interesting caterpillar as it has very dark - broad - stripes.
Wonder if mean anything. Normally they look like below.

Shot of aquarium lid I was using as my big one - clearly not big
enough. The chrysalis were too crowded. Help from the community got
the larger aquarium seem in this release. - Photo by
Sue Grexton {others by
her}.Interesting angle.

Later that day found where a free range caterpillar had set-up
its chrysalis on the curtains around the window where their aquarium sits.
Later found two more on the inside of the curtains - sneaky them cats.

Richard Laushway the candidate for Green Party in
Mississauga South
drops by for a Monarch release - only one for this day, which is late in the
season.

Let the release begin.

The Monarch takes flight just out of the aquarium but
only goes as far as the ditch.
Second effort to get it on flower unsuccessful as it wants to fly.

Hoping for a green election.
Usually we allow an NDP sign on our lawn as well but they couldn't be bothered
to call and ask if they could.
Looks like our lawn is covered with apples but they are our special giant
crabapples!

Visit to the "migration funnel" Point Pelee park, the most
southern point of mainland Canada.From which important data regarding migrating Monarch Butterflies was gathered
and published on this web-site for the first time.